Pushing Yourself Through Challenging Times

Last Friday, my eleven-year-old daughter was really bummed.  Her soccer coach mentioned that some new girls would be trying out for their team (she plays for MSI Classic in Maryland) and that he might be making some cuts.  Now she's a good soccer player - a goal keeper, but she doesn't start.  Making matters worse, one of the girls, the team's star player,  looked at her when the coach mentioned cuts - as if she would be the first to go.

Now I can understand that feeling.  I was cut from my 8th grade basketball team.  It hurts.  Mind you, she was not cut, but the word was out.  It could happen.

That night we had a conversation about it.  I told her that the only thing she had control over was her performance during the remaining four weeks of the season.  She could either choose to give up now, or work as hard as she could to retain her spot on the team.

I mentioned Tim Tebow, the newest member of the Denver Broncos football team.  Tebow is known as much for his lack of NFL-ready quarterback skills as he is for his insane work ethic.  He was projected to be a second or most likely third round pick, and probably to be used as a receiver or only in Wildcat formations.  Ironically, the two other quarterbacks most likely to get picked in the first round of the NFL draft, Colt McCoy and Jimmy Clausen fell to the second round while the Broncos traded up to get Tebow in the first round, specifically to be a quarterback.  The difference means that Tebow will make a lot more money by virtue of his first round selection.  We won't know for awhile whether the Broncos screwed up with this move or were exceptionally brilliant.  Regardless, they paid more for a player with heart than for one with skills. 

Time will tell if my daughter's new-found drive will save her spot on the team but at least she will go out swinging.  I'm proud of her and hope she keeps her spot.

What about you?  Are you willing to push yourself harder when faced with a challenge or do you simply fold?  Win or lose, at least by pushing yourself you can console yourself that you gave it your best shot.  I've won and lost business but have never lost a project because I didn't push myself.  It's part of the game.  I'm still up for the challenge.  Are you?